Customer Reviews

Houston, We Have A Problem

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ms. McCarthy has now been added to my "must purchase" list of authors. Her latest effort "Houston We Have A Problem" is not only witty and fun, but it also touches on some very basic human issues that although not talked about or excepted are still things we in society deal with. What could that be you ask? Well, how about overweight female doctor with little confidence in herself, and yummy guy doctor oozing confidence but finding overweight doctor unbelievable!

Josie is a perky, talkative, wanna be surgeon (well, at least she thinks she wants to be a surgeon) but she has one very big problem. She turns into the world biggest klutz the second Dr. Houston Hayes is ANYWHERE near her. Dr. Hayes is her every dream come true and the chances of her finding happiness with him are about as great as Duran Duran's John Taylor falling at her feet. Well, that's not about to happen or is it?

Houston has had a hard life. His father was an abusive man and he will do all that he can to avoid becoming his dad. If that means keeping a distance from any female that even looks like she's on the hunt for a husband, then he is miles away from that she-wolf. That is until Josie bends over in front of him to retreive a dropped X-ray. Now all bets are off, and Houston now needs to keep telling himself there is no way he can be attracted to the chatty doctor with the oh-so sexy curves. Still despite all of the reason's why he should avoid her he can't and this sets him on a rollercoaster ride where they only thing at stake could be he finally looses his heart.

I loved this book! I loved the fact that Josie was not perfect, and that yummy man did not give a darn. I loved the fact that although Houston came off tough and strong, he still had is own issues that made him real and even likeable (even when he was being a bit of twit!). Josie was great. She had the obvious hang ups women with extra curves has. Still she is willing to take the chance on Houston and find the beauty he sees in her herself. It goes without say that this book is a steamy read, but it only adds to the story of these two wounded people. I find Ms. McCarthy's writing style to be highly entertaining when one considers her character development, as well as swift moving plot. For a fun Sexy read you have to look no further then Ms. McCarthy.

(...)

Erin McCarthy's Houston, We Have A Problem is another sensational novel.

Dr. Josie Adkins is driving fellow Dr. Houston Hayes out of his mind. Houston can barely keep his body under control when Josie is near. If only she wouldn't keep dropping things in his presence. Sure he could ignore the view but Houston is not a stupid man.

Josie Adkins has always wanted to be a surgeon, just like her late father. She keeps telling herself she needs to keep her thoughts on medicine and not the hottie Houston Hayes.

Houston proposed that he has the ideal solution to their mutual attraction. One night of sensual pleasure and they both will be cured. Josie thinks this is her opportunity to show
Houston that one night is never going to be enough.

Houston, We Have A Problem is one more outstanding book from Erin McCarthy. Ms. McCarthy writes such amazingly funny, steamy and compassionate stories. Her characters stay with you long after you are finished reading.

Houston Hayes is an orthopedic surgeon and an uptight control freak, Josie is a resident in orthopedics and an open people person. She is totally competent except around Dr. Hayes, around him she is a one woman disaster area, due to the huge crush she has on him. It turns out he is distracted by her also, and they seek to fix the problem with one night to get each other out of their systems. The problem is one night won't do it.

This is a fun romance novel that reads quickly in spite of the trade paperback size. The characters are interesting, and the situations entertaining. It was hard to put down.

Dr. Houston Hayes reduces Josie Adkins to a simpering, clumsy puddle. She's on a surgical rotation, and Houston cannot take Josie serious, as she seems completely inept. This doesn't match her high IQ, and her amazing grades. Yet Josie wants to be a surgeon, knows she can be a good surgeon, so she falls under his tutelage. Now, only if she can stop dropping things...

What is it about new resident Josie Adkins that makes Houston's blood boil - and his body rise to the occasion? What will the little minx think when she realizes all he can think of is getting her into bed? But no matter how attracted he is to her, he has two rules that he has no intention of breaking - no long-term relationships, and no fooling around with any hospital employee.

While Houston finds Josie inept, she knows the real problem. It is her attraction to him that is so powerful; it leaves her shaking. Besides, she's always been called the two p's - perky and plump - what would sexy Dr. Hayes want with her?

It doesn't take long for Houston to realize that the brainy Josie's heart is not in surgery. And, Houston is only a man, a man with a problem. He knows he has to have at least one taste of the sexy Josie. Even while waiting for their first assignation, Josie can't help but wonder with the intensely handsome Houston could possibly want from a woman like her. He is so sexy, so charming, he could have any woman he wants.

Erin McCarthy has written another winner. Her characters play off of each other in a smart, quick way, as in all of her books. Even when two people fight an incredible chemistry, no matter how intelligent they are, they seem to believe that fighting it off will work. But will it? Or how long before they realize that their paths came together for a reason?

Denial is not only a river in Egypt. Josie realizes that when Houston, an avid surfer, is a victim of a vicious shark attack. She needs to be around Houston, and he realizes he needs Josie to be around him. It is now that both of their futures in surgery are about to take a rapid turn. This allows more time for them to develop the sensual, passionate relationship that has indeed won over. Btw, has Houston given up surfing? You'll have to read HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM to find out how Houston got back on his surfboard. What a titillating way to overcome his fear, thanks to Josie's presence at the right time. Also, the question about Josie's choice of career comes up more than once, showing Houston's intuitive nature.

Ms. McCarthy is an amazing writer. No doubt about that. When it comes to choosing a Reviewers' Choice for Sizzling Romances, we look at certain characteristics a book contains that may appeal to the reader. Evidence shows that your readers love your work, and when you create characters such as Josie and Houston, as well as some warm supporting characters, you make certain to bring your story right to the reader, making it a real drama, one thoroughly enjoyable, accentuated by your trade-mark humor.

(For Sizzling Romancese, September 2004)

Ms. McCarthy writes well, but this novel shows that she still has to grow and mature as a romance writer. Josie, the heroine, describes herself, ad nauseam, as flabby, overweight, too short, too soft, too white, and full of cellulite, but even as she puts herself down all the time, the author wants us to think that the heroine loves herself and is happy the way she is. This would be easier to believe if Josie did not spend over 50% of the novel, literally, reminding the reader how physically unappealing she thinks she is, until I finally saw her that way and lost whatever "magic" I had felt. On the other hand, the perfectly tall, dark, and handsome hero thinks Josie is a perfectly adorable sex goddess. Much of the novel is spent on these conflicting points of view and very soon it becomes boring and tiresome. I certainly appreciate having a heroine that is less than perfect physically and a hero that loves that body, but I don't like to be reminded of that fact page after page after page. The author sacrificed further character and plot development trying too hard to be funny well beyond the limit. I read Smart Mouth, by the same author, and liked it much better. I have hopes for Ms. McCarthy, but I will be more careful with my money in the future and just go to the library. A final complaint, at $14.00 I expect every page to count and don't appreciate a blank page between many chapters.

This is the first book I have read by this author.

I enjoyed the story. It had humor, enjoyable characters and held my interest. There were a number of sex scenes in the book that were interesting to read. It didn't have a smutty feel to it though. I liked the book.

Defintely will check out her other books.

Houston may have a problem, but readers won't with this wonderful, sexy story.

When we first meet Dr Houston Hayes, he is tempted beyond reason by the lush curves of resident Josie Adkins, who is constantly within his immediate reach. With her penchant for dropping things, his normally professional mind is laden with erotic fantasies when faced with her charms. How is a doctor supposed to keep his mind on work when faced with such temptation?

Dr. Houston Hayes is so hot that he makes Josie nervous. And when she's nervous, she drops things. Noted for her competence and excellent way with the patients, this clumsy turn of events is beginning to wear on Josie's nerves. All her life she's struggled for people to see beyond the dimples and perky attitude. How can she be taken seriously as a surgeon if she can't even hold onto a flipchart?

Then Houston proposes what he believes to be a practical solution: one night of passion to ease the sexual tension between them and let things get back to normal. After all, it shouldn't take more than that, and as long as they both agree to the terms, no one is in danger of losing their heart.

Oh, that's what he thinks! Houston doesn't count on the way Josie makes him feel, and she's not sure she can pretend nothing's happened between them. When events happen that have both of them questioning their chosen paths, it becomes obvious that the only problem they have is not following their hearts.

Erin McCarthy has done it again! Houston is a sexy loner who doesn't believe he's worthy of a long-term relationship and Josie is intelligent and charming, blessed with a generous heart yet unaware of her own appeal. Kudos to Erin for creating a heroine we can all relate to on some level. It makes their "happily ever after" that much sweeter. And anxious for McCarthy's next book!

This is the first McCarthy book I've read and I can definitely recommend it! I was a little taken aback at the bold sexuality right from the first page -- no slow building of attraction, they get right to it -- but then the story began emerging and it is a winner. McCarthy deftly develops the love and respect between Houston and Josie while keeping the passion high. The life changing events in each of their lives will keep you hooked. I would have liked an epilogue to see how everything turned out.

The dialogue is quick and funny, a delight from the start . . . but I do agree with other reviewers about the constant (and I mean practically every other paragraph) reminder that Josie is not thin. Enough already! It was an unwanted interruption in many scenes.

Good work, Erin! I will eagerly seek out your other titles.

I love Erin McCarthy but this book just did not hit the mark for me. The author appeared to force the chemistry between Dr. Houston Hayes, orthopedic surgeon, and resident Josie Adkins. It was hard to believe that Houston really had feelings for Josie. Josie was portrayed as being completely unhappy with her self image, her weight, and her struggle to come to terms with the fact that she doesn't really want to be a surgeon. This clearly shows in her approach to surgery. On the flip side, Houston is self-assured, arrogant in his capabilities as a surgeon and aloof. When he initiates an encounter with Josie in a hospital supply closet, it felt out of place and awkward where it could have been spontaneous combustion.

When Houston is attacked by a shark while surfing, losing mobility in his right thumb and forefinger, Josie becomes more important to him as he puts the rest of his life in perspective. But as a reader, I really didn't see what he saw in her and did not feel a real, cosmic match. The ending went out with a whimper. This was not a passionate romance.

This was my first book by Erin McCarthy and I really liked it. I loved the fact that both characters were doctors and they lived in Florida (vs. NYC or London). Very sweet and realistic. Definitely recommended!